A change in attitude… First win spurs Highlanders onward in preparation for Avery Co.
Published 12:46 am Friday, September 27, 2019
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
Success breeds success and the attitude on Roan Mountain has been a lot more positive since the Highlanders shook the goose egg out of the win column basket last week in a big way by beating the Hancock Indians on the road for their first win of the season.
The win was a welcome relief for Coach Glenn White who has watched his numerically small team hammer away at one another in practice hungry to get back to the Cloudland standard of winning football games for their family, friends, and small, tight-knit community.
“Usually winning does that for you and we needed that one,” said White. “We really played well in our first two games and lost but we really hit them.
“I had expected the same against Hampton but it didn’t happen and that baffled me. But we had a good day of practice yesterday and I am hoping to have a good day today and put the hay in the barn and be done with it.”
The Avery Co. team that White saw as an assistant coach last season under Mike Lunsford and what he has seen on film this season has brought a little concern to the Highlander coach.
“They scored enough points last year to win with 34 but we scored 68,” stated White. “I am expecting a good game.
“We have kids coming on. Last week Seth Birchfield ran well once he got into the open and freshman Gage McKinney played really well.”
White is without the service of senior Conner Birchfield who broke his arm against Hampton and will be out of action for six to eight weeks according to the Cloudland head coach.
However, the thing that has impressed White is that Birchfield is showing his leadership in other ways.
“Conner is at practice every day rooting his teammates on,” said White. “That is deserving of Mr. Highlander in my opinion.”
White said that when he looked at the schedule in June he had a thought where his club could be at this point in the season.
“I thought there was a 50/50 chance that we would be 0-3 and still be a good football team if we could avoid injuries. So far, Conner is the only one we have really had. We are going to continue to throw those five big linemen out there and get behind them and let them run and see what happens,” White commented.
“We just need to have sustained drives and keep the ball away from them.”
The Highlanders will kick off their game at 7:30 pm.